Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 537 Sister-in-law, your tantrums won't work. I have plenty of ways to deal with you~
"The ten-day period has come to an end."

"Sister-in-law."

In the main room of Wang Xifeng's courtyard, Lin Dao, who had come prepared, turned the lid of the teacup in his hand.

"It's time to pay back the money."

As previously agreed, 30,000 taels of silver would be lent out for one month.

The total interest was nine thousand taels.

Interest will be paid in three installments, three thousand taels each ten days.

The collateral consisted of several shops owned by the Jia family and registered under the Xue family's name.

Lin Dao also requires that a deposit be paid for the interest.

If the loan is not repaid by the due date, the interest will be forfeited.

"Brothers."

Wang Xifeng forced a smile and replied, "This time is too short. Where am I supposed to find three thousand taels of silver?"

The money was borrowed in the first place for emergency purposes. After all, it was public money, and everyone was watching it closely. The wages of the maids and servants all came from this money.

If they cannot repay the debt, the Jia family will inevitably become a laughing stock among the nobility.

Even if Wang Xifeng wasn't beaten to death in the ancestral hall, a divorce and being driven away were inevitable.

When all else fails, being able to borrow money will be of the best option.

The problem is that the 30,000 taels of silver have already returned to the public treasury, and countless eyes are watching.

In ten days, Wang Xifeng couldn't even raise the interest, let alone the principal.

It's not that she didn't have any; her dowry was definitely more than three thousand taels.

But that was part of her dowry, meant for Qiao Jie'er.

It is extremely shameful for a woman to use her dowry when she gets married.

"Brothers."

Wang Xifeng first tried to reason with him, saying, "At least for your brother's sake, can you give it a break?"

"Of course we should give Brother Lian face," Lin Dao said, putting down his teacup with a nonchalant air. "But I've already done so."

"According to the rules, it should be nine out and thirteen back."

That's a 44% profit.

"I only took 30%."

"Brother Lian has already lost 14% of his face, what more do you want?"

A face valued at several thousand taels already indicates a high level of consideration for relationships.

As for why Wang Xifeng didn't go outside to borrow money from the famous banks in the capital...

That's because, in any era, those who can do this kind of business all have powerful backers.

Or rather, they're simply gloves for those powerful backers.

When Wang Xifeng went to borrow it, the people immediately found out about the Jia family's affairs.

Money is a small matter; the Jia family has lost all face, so Wang Xifeng's life is essentially over.

Seeing that her gentle persuasion was useless, Wang Xifeng simply turned cold and said, "Brother Lin, there's definitely no money right now. Your sister-in-law has no choice. You decide what to do."

That's just being a shameless scoundrel.

Wang Xifeng had this in mind when she borrowed the money.

Nowadays, seeing that moral blackmail is useless, they simply resort to tantrums.

In her mind, Lin Dao was nothing more than someone without any background.

Even if he can't pay back the money by then, does that mean the Jia family's shop will really belong to him?

This is the Rongguo Mansion!

The Duke's Mansion!
If it were someone else, they would probably be furious in this situation.

But Lin Dao had already anticipated this outcome and had made arrangements accordingly.

"Sister-in-law."

His smile remained unchanged. "Second Brother Lian may not have told you, but when I was in Yangzhou, I saved Imperial Censor Lin's life."

"It was a life-saving grace."

Wang Xifeng is intelligent, but lacks common sense.

Lin Dao had already made it clear, but she was still somewhat confused. "My uncle is the son-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion. Could he possibly help you deal with the Duke's Mansion?"

"You're really something else~~"

Taking a breath, Lin Dao held back his curses.

This woman is truly knowledgeable about things outside the inner quarters, only lacking the last one!
"This is a life-saving grace."

Lin Dao tapped the table with his finger. "Of course, Imperial Censor Lin is not going to target the Rongguo Mansion, but he is determined to stand up for me, his savior, and take back what rightfully belongs to me."

"Censor Lin, there are many old buildings in the capital, including many censors from the Censorate."

"Sister-in-law, you don't really think that things are over just because Laiwang'er is dead, do you?"

"Besides, if you don't repay the money by the deadline, I will hand over the financial documents and collateral documents to the censors."

"They'll bring it out when they get to the imperial court."

"Go on," he paused slightly, then looked at Wang Xifeng, whose face had turned pale, "the matter has reached the imperial court."

"Having lost all face, how could the Rongguo Mansion tolerate a daughter-in-law like you?"

Of course, it was intolerable; being able to divorce and leave the mansion was already a stroke of luck.

Who knows, he might just die suddenly!

In fact, since Jia Min died, according to etiquette, Lin Ruhai is no longer the son-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion.

Moreover, there's no need for Lin Ruhai to get involved in something so reasonable and well-founded.

If Lin Dao really wanted to do that, there were plenty of poor censors and the Jia family's enemies willing to lend a hand.

"Sister-in-law."

At this point, Lin Dao stood up to take his leave, adding, "If you don't want things to come to this, please remember to repay the principal and interest."

Long after Lin Dao left, the sound of Wang Xifeng sobbing could be heard from inside the house.

A moment later, her scream rang out again.

"Where has that bastard gone off to gallivanting off to again!"

"His wife was bullied, and he can't even be seen for a moment!"

Sister Feng's imposing manner remained unchanged, and the maids and servants in the courtyard were all terrified like quails.

In the past, it was Ping'er who would go over to comfort her at this time.

But right now, Ping'er is still being held as collateral at Lindao.

No one could persuade her; they could only wait until Wang Xifeng had cried enough and was tired of scolding.

Wang Xifeng, her face as cold as frost, paused for a moment before calling out to the servants outside to inquire.

"Where did your master go?!" Wang Xifeng's anger was terrifying, and the servants dared not hide their presence, responding cautiously.

"Second Master Lian has gone to visit a friend~"

"At...at Piaoxianglou..."

Wang Xifeng was so angry that tears streamed down her face again.

Piaoxianglou was a famous pleasure house in the capital, where a meal at a table would start at least at ten taels of silver.

Now she's driven crazy by money, while Jia Lian goes off to spend it all.

I felt such intense hatred in my heart!
"I must have been blind to marry this bastard!"

As they were cursing, they saw Yuanyang, the old lady's head maid, running into the courtyard.

"Second Grandma~"

The perceptive Yuanyang, oblivious to Wang Xifeng's tear stains, hurriedly reported the situation.

"A messenger has arrived from the palace to deliver an imperial decree!"

Wang Xifeng fell silent in astonishment.

After regaining my senses, I quickly tidied myself up and rushed to Rongxi Hall.

Incense is burned and an altar is set up to welcome the angels.

The emperor decreed:

"The Rongguo Mansion is now under imperial construction."

"Super Grade Imperial Order Jia Shishi~"

"First-Class General Jia She~"

"Jia Zheng, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works"

"Loyal to the country and mindful of the emperor's wishes, responding to the court's needs, redeeming the imperial estates, thus relieving the court's urgent crisis."

"A model for all officials."

His Majesty is greatly pleased.

"Now, I hereby bestow upon Lady Jia, a woman of the highest rank, the honor of entering the palace in a sedan chair."

"General Jia She, a first-class general, is hereby appointed as the military governor of Lulong."

"Jia Zheng, an assistant minister in the Ministry of Works, was appointed as the director of the Ministry of Works' Agricultural Reclamation Department."

"May you all be loyal to the country, reporting to the Emperor above and bringing peace to the people below."

"I hereby order~"

With a stern face, Xia Shouzhong read the imperial edict in a melodious voice, then squinted as he spoke.

"Receive the imperial decree!"

When Jia She stepped forward to receive the imperial edict, Xia Shouzhong's face immediately broke into a smile the moment the edict left his hand.

Congratulations on your esteemed family!

"Before I left, I was already ordered to go to Fengzao Palace."

"Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort, assists the Empress in handling palace affairs."

"It seems that the title of Imperial Noble Consort is not far off."

The order of events on the imperial edict reveals the power structure within the Jia family.

Grandmother Jia was able to have absolute authority in the Jia family. Did she really think it was just about filial piety?
Just kidding!
Countless members of wealthy and powerful families were confined to the courtyards of ancestral halls, where they suffered from serious illnesses or even died suddenly.

Grandmother Jia's true reliance was the title of Lady of the First Rank bestowed upon her by her husband!

If she really hardened her heart and dressed up to go to the palace to file a complaint, accusing her children and grandchildren of being disobedient, no one in the Jia family could withstand it.

This is the true source of Grandmother Jia's confidence.

Chen Mogong submitted a memorial to the throne, requesting that the estates of nobles outside the pass be redeemed so that the grain produced could be directly supplied to the increasingly large border troops of Liaodong.

Xia Shouzhong seized the opportunity to suggest that the Jia family could take the lead.

The emperor didn't have high hopes, but he was willing to take the risk and gave the Jia family a hint.

To the surprise of both the emperor and Xia Shouzhong, the Jia family readily agreed!

This is not just about redeeming the estate.

In essence, this means that the Jia family, as one of the core members of the noble group, betrayed the noble group and threw themselves into the emperor's arms!
It should be noted that, on the surface, the nobility group has always been the Emperor Emeritus's people.

The emperor was overjoyed, and the rewards were immediately bestowed.

Grandmother Jia was already of a higher rank, and being a woman, the rewards she received were mainly based on honor.

He was granted the special honor of riding in a sedan chair within the palace.

As the nominal head of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia She ended up with the title of military governor.

Of course, all dynasties after the Tang Dynasty learned from the Tang Dynasty's lessons, and the title of Jiedushi (military governor) became a mere empty title, serving little purpose other than receiving an extra salary.

As for Jia Zheng, he was promoted from a fifth-rank official to a fifth-rank official.

That can be considered a step forward.

Xia Shouzhong hinted that if Consort Xiande became the Empress's deputy, then she would become the Imperial Noble Consort.

If she can give birth to a prince, the title of Imperial Noble Consort will surely be confirmed.

The Emperor's reward for the Rongguo Mansion's allegiance was undeniably generous.

What the emperor didn't know was that the people in the Rongguo Mansion hadn't considered all that at all!
The reason they initially agreed to buy the estate was because Jia Yuanchun was outwardly favored, which led the Rongguo Mansion to be determined to become related to the Jia family through marriage.

Lady Wang wanted Da Bao to become the emperor's brother-in-law and strongly urged him to accept the position.

The women of the Rongguo Mansion were all experts in domestic power struggles, but they had no idea about the intricacies of the situation.

As for Jia She, he was a good-for-nothing who indulged in wine, women, wealth, and power.

Jia Zheng, on the other hand, was a half-good-for-nothing with only a show of virtue, and didn't think much about it at all.

They didn't understand the true meaning of buying the estates outside the Great Wall.

That was a betrayal of one's own social class.

People who betray their social class usually don't have a good ending.

The Rongguo Mansion staff cheered and presented Xia Shouzhong with a sum of money before seeing him off with a big smile.

Back in the main house, everyone's joy was palpable.

Wang Xifeng blinked; she really didn't know about this.

Ever since the usury scandal, she has been marginalized.

Naturally, no one informed her about this.

Standing aside to serve, Wang Xifeng listened carefully.

When she heard that the imperial court was going to spend a large sum of money to buy up the estates outside the Great Wall, and that the money would be used to build a villa for visiting relatives.

The first thought that came to mind was...

'Now I have the money to pay back the debt!'

(End of this chapter)